Does this mean we have to wear those baggy khakis and a pith helmet from now on? Dang, stylin! (But I'm bettin' that pith helmet isn't ANSI/Snell approved...)
I use the left arm up, for two reasons: (1) It's easier for cars to see. This occurred to me a few years ago when I was commuting into work, and chanced upon a neighbor, who happens to have posted to this thread and happens to work near me, on his way in. We chatted, and I singled up behind him as we approached a right turn. He signaled with his right hand out, and I realized that a car driver behind us would never see it, because I, being behind him, would block the view. This wouldn't happen with a left-arm signal. (2) Yeah, I know, the front brake does most of the braking, but I still wanna "lead" with the rear, and if I have to use only one brake, it HAS to be the rear. My semi-recumbent has a 20" front wheel, and if it's the slightest bit wet, and I brake with only the front (or even "favor" the front), that wheel will skid in a heartbeat. (Okay, 2b) On the fairly frequent occasion that I have to brake while turning, I can quickly switch a turn signal to a brake signal by simply turning my arm down, instead of having to switch arms. The alternating arm up-down really seems to get their attention; I think it's a similar effect to pumping your car brakes to flash the brake lights, or hitting the four-way emergency flashers. Another important thing to consider is that the law does allow you NOT to signal if the situation requires you to have both hands on the handlebar to maintain control. I sorta mentally invoke that whenever it's wet, or snowy, or I'm turning downhill, etc. Bottom line - any clue you can give other drivers is better than none; I wouldn't agonize over the merits of either one. Shoot, even a glance over your shoulder can clue in those behind you that you're about to do something. From: [email protected] To: Mark Clear <[email protected]> Date sent: Fri, 15 May 2009 17:27:22 -0500 Copies to: bikies <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Bikies] Signaling a right turn with the right hand > I may be old school, but this was always the way I was instructed...at least > the first three parts... > > http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/ww2/veh_hand_signals.htm > > Has that changed? I thought that those were still legal rules, whether on a > bike or motorcycle or in a car... > > > my $.02, thanks, kel > > > Mark Clear writes: > > > For the past couple of years, I've been signaling right turns by putting > > my right hand out horizontally--just like for a left turn. I deliberately > > switched from the legal left-hand-bent signal because it seems to reduce > > the ambiguity, and therefore might give a 3-millisecond improvement in > > reaction time to a distracted motorist. > > > > I have, however, no evidence that this is actually safer. Thoughts? > > Research? Anyone? > > > > Mark C. > > _______________________________________________ > > Bikies mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org --------------------- Paul T. O'Leary Desktop Insurgent Madison WI USA _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
